New Riders Of The Purple Sage - San Francisco 1971 (IA)

From the Internet Archive (IA) this is the New Riders Of The Purple Sage live at the Fillmore West, San Francisco, USA back on the 2nd July 1971.

The group emerged from the psychedelic rock scene in San Francisco in 1969, and its original lineup included members of the Grateful Dead.

After a few warm up gigs throughout the Bay Area in 1969, the New Riders (for all intents and purposes John Dawson and David Nelson) began to tour in May 1970 as opening act with the Grateful Dead. This relationship continued on a regular basis until December 1971. Throughout much of 1970, the Dead would open with an acoustic set that often included John Dawson and David Nelson before segueing into the New Riders and then the electric Dead.

By the time the New Riders recorded their first album in late 1970, change was in the air. Dave Torbert, a young Bay Area musician, replaced Phil Lesh. After Mickey Hart went on sabbatical from music in early 1971, Spencer Dryden (from Jefferson Airplane) began a ten-year relationship with the group as their drummer, and eventually manager. The first album, eponymously titled, was released on Columbia Records in late 1971 and was a moderate success. Featuring all John Dawson songs, the record was driven by Jerry Garcia's inventive pedal-steel playing.

With the New Riders desiring to become more of a self-sufficient group and Jerry Garcia needing to focus on his other responsibilities, the musician parted ways with the group in November 1971. Sadly John 'Marmaduke' Dawson passed away on the 21st of July this year.

Source: FM Broadcast.

Sound Quality: Very good stereo.

Genre: Country Rock

Set: Full Set.

Track List:

0. Tuning In & Intro
1. Workingman's Blues
2. Superman
3. I Don't Know You
4. Down In The Boondocks
5. Dirty Business
6. Glendale Train
7. Portland Women
8. Henry
9. Sailin'
10. Last Lonely Eagle
11. Louisiana Lady
12. Honky Tonk Women
13. The Weight

Band Line Up:

John Dawson - rhythm guitar, vocals
David Nelson - lead guitar, vocals
David Torbert - bass, vocals
Jerry Garcia - pedal steel guitar
Spencer Dryden - drums

Links: Official site HERE.

Comments:

A few of the tracks from this date circulate (from the soundboard mix) on the official re-release of the Riders debut LP. The New Riders archivist, Rob Bleetstein, gave permission for the safe 'on-line' release of this FM version of those songs (February 2005). Click HERE for download options (mp3 & OGGVORBIS from the Internet Archive site).

Play: